I’m a junior environmental and natural resource economics major. When I chose this major I was extremely into renewable energy and really thought I’d go down that road for a career. However, I was probably one of few students to realize environmental economic programs currently do not make economic sense and probably will not produce enough jobs even in the next 5 years ( at least the way things are going right now), nor do I want to be stuck working in the government forever.
So, to try to finish my BS in this ( 7 classes left) I was trying to fit in a second bachelors, since I’ve already made the mistake of minoring in political science. I can do a second bachelors either a BA in Economics or a BS in Applied Economics. The Applied Economics would require me to stay a semester later while the BA in economics wouldn’t. I’m already a semester behind from transferring, so I’m not really too concerned with staying an extra year for another major.
Any suggestions? Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Why do you think environmental economics doesn’t make sense and that there will be no jobs in the next 5 years? It’s my sense that interest in how the environment impacts our economic system (and vice versa) is increasing, not decreasing.
In any case, what’s the difference between the BA in economics and the BS in applied economics? What are the extra classes that would require you to stay another semester? I am inclined to say take the BA in economics because you’ll get out faster, but it really depends on the additional skills you’d be acquiring.
I’ve watched research programs in my state with the university go from 5 to 2 and hours cut back, etc. I don’t have enough money to go to another state right after undergrad for an entry level job that will only pay 20k-30k for awhile. I’ve also networked within the industry only to be told to expect to work unpaid internships for 1-3 years after graduation in hopes to get an entry level job.
The BA is basically theory while the BS in applied is more mathematical and from some research, I’m guessing ( or hoping) would be easier to get a private sector job. I’m just more afraid that if I try to get an entry level job outside of environment with just the first bachelors my resume will get tossed in the trash without a second glance. Not to mention I’ve realized this far into my environmental econ undergrad career that the department hardly uses math, and in most classes just goes over theories and I do not feel prepared for any job.
I’ve also been working and volunteering steadily throughout undergrad and even have a research internship under my belt, so I got a little discouraged when I was told I’d only be looking at unpaid work for the next few years.
Well, this is one of the few cases in which I would say it matters - but not because of the name on the diploma, but the coursework. If you want to work as an entry-level economist, the math is important. If you can still do the BA while taking some of the math from the BS (the most important, foundational stuff) and graduate in your original timeline, then do that. But if you don’t mind taking the extra semester and have the money for it, the math is important for job searching in that field.
Thanks for the response. I’ve managed to get a meeting with an advisor, but am glad I got someone’s input who isn’t running the program.